1
as in terrifying
causing fear
hair-raising stories of headless corpses and disembodied screams
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in breathtaking
causing great emotional or mental stimulation
a theme park that is legendary for its lightning-fast roller-coaster and other hair-raising rides
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of hair-raising
His own pharmaceutical quest is nothing short of hair-raising.
—
Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Then into motorboats for hair-raising dashes through tortuous canals and across rough water to dams far back in some vast marsh.
—Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025
The term hair-raising takes on new meaning as two performers contort their bodies high above the stage, connected only by their coiffures.
—Karen D'souza, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Led by vocalist Christina Michelle’s hair-raising screams, Deep Sage mangles everything in its path with thick basslines and switchblade guitars until the floor is bloodied but the air, at long last, is cleansed.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024
Oh, there are plenty of opportunity for that: Feliz says the season only gets more hair-raising from here.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024
The reason this seems hair-raising is that most generative AI is devised to wait for the human to initiate a conversation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Among them were experienced mountaineers accustomed to steep terrain where any fall could be fatal, and casual hikers who had never before attempted to climb anything as hair-raising.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
The players’ recounted exploits are at once hair-raising, nostalgic and moving.
—Drew Goins, Washington Post, 31 July 2024
Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
Then into motorboats for hair-raising dashes through tortuous canals and across rough water to dams far back in some vast marsh.
—Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025
The term hair-raising takes on new meaning as two performers contort their bodies high above the stage, connected only by their coiffures.
—Karen D'souza, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
Led by vocalist Christina Michelle’s hair-raising screams, Deep Sage mangles everything in its path with thick basslines and switchblade guitars until the floor is bloodied but the air, at long last, is cleansed.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024
Oh, there are plenty of opportunity for that: Feliz says the season only gets more hair-raising from here.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024
The reason this seems hair-raising is that most generative AI is devised to wait for the human to initiate a conversation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Among them were experienced mountaineers accustomed to steep terrain where any fall could be fatal, and casual hikers who had never before attempted to climb anything as hair-raising.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
The players’ recounted exploits are at once hair-raising, nostalgic and moving.
—Drew Goins, Washington Post, 31 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hair-raising
Adjective
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In his first-ever manuscript, the 19-year-old English major imagined a terrifying dystopian death game.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
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The first movie revolved around a bride’s (Weaving) wedding night which takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The singer, 28, and content creator, 27, exchanged vows in front of 100 of their closest friends and family members on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Rockefeller Center's 620 Loft & Garden overlooking New York City's breathtaking cityscapes and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Some may be lucky to have breathtaking views from their homes, offices or private spaces.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s project has emboldened ICE agents in frightening ways, too.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
23 Aug. 2025
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Her treatment began on May 20, 2024 at Michiana Hematology Oncology in Mishawaka, Indiana, but immediately took a frightening turn.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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On Friday night, FC Juarez faces off with Santos Laguna in exciting Liga MX soccer action, with both teams desperate for a win.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
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Sailors will also find exciting yachts in the Wallywind 110, the Swan 88, or the Sunreef 60, 70, and 80 models.—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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After decades of battling brutal conditions in the Bering Sea, Hansen, 59, is now facing something even more formidable than icy waves — his own mortality.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Huntington Beach: The Oilers remain formidable with the return of All-County duo of Roxie Shaia and Taylor Savage at quarterback and wide receiver, respectively. 4.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Johnson’s 18-yard catch set the stage for his dramatic 4-yard touchdown run with 13 seconds remaining Friday night for the host Mustangs in a thrilling 28-21 victory over Marist in Chicago.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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Tune the channel to HBCU GO at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon to catch a thrilling matchup between two HBCU rivals, Hampton and Jackson State.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Residents recount a scary night and a quiet Chapman.—
Gillian Stawiszynski,
The Enquirer,
31 Aug. 2025
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Cooper Hoffman stars in one of the year’s best and scariest horror films as the determined Raymond Garraty, a spirited competitor and the son of Mrs. Garraty (Greer).—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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What’s interesting is that this association held true across different cultures, ages and types of trust, suggesting that trust isn’t just a cultural preference but a universal building block of well-being.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
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It’s been a really interesting couple of years for the unscripted industry.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hair-raising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hair-raising. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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